Honda has announced its plans to debut the redesigned Civic Coupe at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show. We expect the production version of the coupe to resemble the concept version shown above (and below) fairly well, given the sedan’s similarities to its concept counterpart. What will likely change is the aggressive styling of the front and rear fascias, the continuous taillamp running across the trunk, as well as the large wheels and single exhaust tip on the concept.
The coupe should be powered by the same choice of engines as its four-door sibling, a naturally aspirated 158 hp 2.0-Liter DOHC i-VTEC® four-banger, or the first ever turbocharged engine for a U.S. Civic, a 1.5L four-cylinder churning out 174 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque (the outgoing model had a naturally aspirated 1.8L that produced 143 horsepower). Choice of transmissions will probably be the same as in the sedan, which includes a 6-speed manual or, gasp, a CVT. Strangely, the CVT is the only transmission offered in sedans with the 1.5L turbo. Honda’s decision to only include the manual on the 2.0L may be to encourage buyers to jump up to the yet-to-be-released high performance versions, the Si and Type R. For now we can only hope the turbocharged coupe will be available with a manual but we aren’t holding our breath.
In addition to the aforementioned Si and Type R, there is a hatchback (!) model that will be debuted at a later date. Generally hatchbacks have not done well in the U.S. market, so we have to commend Honda in its decision to give us one. Until we can bring you more details from the 2015 L.A. Auto Show next week, enjoy this video of Roman Mica test driving the 2016 Civic sedan and comparing it against its main competitors.
